How to Make your Christmas Presents Stand Out (the Sustainable, Eco Friendly Way).

Wrapping presents is so much more fun than opening them! Who’s with me on this one?

OK, even if you’re not, it still can be a fun and relaxing experience to do during the Christmas period. Especially if you manage to do it well in advance. 

What’s even better is that you can keep the waste to an absolute minimum by using specific materials. Where a lot of those materials can be found already in your own home or garden. 

So, here are some sustainable Christmas gift wrapping ideas that will turn your presents under the tree into showstoppers.

The Paper

Kraft paper is going to be your new best friend. 

It’s recyclable. Unlike the majority of wrapping paper that it lined underneath, meaning it has to go straight in the bin. 

It’s also blank so it allows you to be as creative as you want. Or leave it as it is and let the finishing touches do all the talking.

You can even get kraft paper tape to hold it in place or go tapeless.

5 ways to jazz up your kraft paper:

• Draw on festive designs such as baubles, snowflakes and christmas trees 

• Use calligraphy to write merry christmas in several different languages

• Don’t use tags and write your message directly onto the present. 

• DIY potato stamps - find your favourite Christmas shape and get stamping on your present.

• Use old photos as tags. It decorates the gift on top and you can then write your message behind the photo. It’s a lovely personal touch that will have you both going down memory lane.

If you don’t have kraft paper or don’t fancy using it, you can use old newspapers instead. Make it look pretty by using ribbon as a finishing touch.

The Bow

Sticking to sustainable Christmas gift wrapping jute twine is the best one to use. It's most likely already in one of your drawers. 

You can also use eco friendly ribbons such as hemp or recycled cotton. This will add that stunning second layer to your Christmas presents.

The Finishing Touches

I love using natural items that I can find during those cold, crisp walks to finish off my gifts with. I usually use sprigs of greenery, dried oranges and cinnamon sticks for that natural, rustic look. I've also combined those 3 and used them in my DIY advent calendar tutorial.

I also use Christmas ornaments as presents tags as an extra special finishing touch. It’s like receiving two presents in one!

If you’ve never made dried oranges before, you should definitely give it a go. There are so many ways to use them over the festive period as well as for autumn decor. Any leftovers you can fill a bowl up with and use it as potpourri.

Feel free to get as creative as you like with your finishing touches!

Will you be having a more sustainable Christmas this year?

Let me know in the comments below how you finish off your Christmas gift wrapping.

Merry Christmas!